How does the First Response Ovulation Test work?

The First Response Ovulation Test will help you find the time that you are most able to become pregnant. It can also help you plan your pregnancy.

The test measures luteinising hormone (LH), which is always present in your urine and increases just before your most fertile day of the month. This increase, or 'surge', in LH triggers ovulation which is the release of an egg from an ovary.

The appearance of two easy-to-read purple lines in the test's Result Window indicates your LH surge prior to ovulation. Most women will ovulate within 24 to 36 hours after the LH surge is detected. Predicting ovulation in advance is important because the egg can be fertilised only 6 to 24 hours after ovulation. Your two most fertile days begin with the LH surge. You are most likely to become pregnant if you have intercourse within 24 to 36 hours after you detect your LH surge.

When do I carry out the test?

You may test at any time of the day, (you do not have to use first morning urine) but you should test at approximately the same time each day and reduce your liquid intake for 2 hours before testing, since drinking excessive amounts of liquids can dilute the LH in your urine.

To find out when to begin testing, determine the length of your normal cycle. The length of your cycle is from the beginning of one period to the beginning of the next. Count the first day of bleeding or spotting as day 1.

If your cycle is irregular, that is, if it varies by more than a few days each month, take the average number of days for the last 3 months. Use the chart to work out the day you should begin testing. The day you begin testing is listed below the number of days in your normal cycle. For example, looking at the chart, if your period normally begins every 28 days, you should begin testing 11 days from the beginning of your last period.

Example: Mary Allen normally has her period every 28 days. She started her period on the 4th so including that day she counts forward 11 days and begins testing on the 14th.

Menstrual cycles can be irregular. If 5 days of testing does not detect your hormone surge, you may continue testing with a second pack of First Response Ovulation tests.

How do I do the test?

The First Response Ovulation Test is simple to use - just hold the test in your urine stream for a few seconds. You will soon see the purple colour moving across the Clear Top to indicate that the test is working. Look at the Result Window at 5 minutes to read your result. Follow the full instructions enclosed in the pack before carrying out the test.

How do I read the results?

After 5 minutes, you can compare the test line to the reference line to read your result.

Here are examples of results you can expect to see:

Two similar, purple lines.

The presence of two similar, purple lines in the Result Window means that you have detected your LH surge. Your test line may be darker than the reference line.

You should ovulate within the next 24 to 36 hours. If these lines are the same colour or the test line is darker than the reference line you have detected your LH surge.

A purple reference line and a light purple test line

The presence of a purple reference line and a lighter purple test line means that you have not yet reached your LH surge.

You should continue with daily testing until the two purple lines are the same purple colour or the test line is darker than the reference line.

One purple reference line

If only the purple reference line appears, you have not reached your LH surge.

You should continue with daily testing until the two purple lines are the same purple colour or the test result line is darker than the reference line.

After you have read your result, the test should be discarded. The result can be read for up to one hour.

Once you know you are about to ovulate, you are at the start of the most fertile time of your monthly cycle. If you have intercourse at any time during the 24 to 36 hours after you detect your LH surge, you will maximise your chance of becoming pregnant. There is no need to wait until you ovulate before having intercourse.

How accurate is the First Response Ovulation Test?

The FIRST RESPONSE Ovulation Test has been shown to be over 99% accurate** in laboratory testing. 60/60 non-surge and 40/40 surge clinical samples showed correct results. For diagnostic specificity and diagnostic sensitivity.

** Over 99% accurate in detecting the LH surge in laboratory studies.

What could interfere with the test results?

If you are actually pregnant, have recently been pregnant, or have reached menopause, you may get a misleading result. Some prescription drugs such as menotropins for injection (e.g., Pergonal+) and danazol (e.g., Danocrine++) may affect the result you see. If you are undergoing therapy with clomiphene citrate (e.g., Clomid+++ or Serophene++++), please consult your doctor regarding the effect this will have on your test result or when to begin testing.

Certain rare medical conditions or the onset of the menopause can cause elevated levels of LH.

Some women do not ovulate every cycle and they will not see any increase in the level of LH during these non-ovulating cycles.

+ Pergonal is a registered trademark of Ares Trading SA.
++ Danocrine is a registered trademark of Sanofi-Synthelabo, Inc.
+++ Clomid is a registered trademark of Merrell Pharmaceutical.
++++ Serophene is a registestered trademark of Serono Laboratories, Inc.

Will oral contraceptives affect the results?

After using the pill your cycle may be irregular and may take some time to stabilise again. You may wish to wait until you have had two normal periods before starting use the First Response Ovulation Test. Follow your doctor's advice on when to best try to become pregnant.

If the First Response Ovulation Test can determine my most fertile time, why can't I use it for contraception (birth control)?

Sperm can survive up to 72 hours (3 days) and the First Response Ovulation Test predicts your LH surge only up to 24 to 36 hours in advance. Therefore, if you have intercourse before you discover your surge, the egg can still be fertilised.

I have used all five tests and I do not see a surge. What do I do?

Since not every woman ovulates mid-cycle, you may not detect the LH surge in the first 5 days of testing. This could mean that you have not ovulated yet and you should continue with additional First Response Ovulation Tests.

I have used the First Response Ovulation Prediction test for three months, and each month I have seen a surge and have had intercourse that day or night. I have not become pregnant yet. What is wrong?

First, it is important to remember that it can take normal, healthy couples many months to become pregnant. There are many factors which affect your ability to become pregnant even if you have been able to have intercourse during your most fertile time. If after several months you have no success consult your doctor. since you have been monitoring your LH surge with the First Response Ovulation test, you will be able to give your doctor a clear picture of how you have been ovulating.

How can I increase my chances of becoming pregnant?

You can visit our “Trying for a baby?” page to Try our simple-to-use food wheels and discover the exact foods and portions you can choose to include in your day-to-day diet to optimise your health and fertility.

What should I do to increase my chances of a healthy pregnancy?

To increase your chances of a healthy pregnancy for you and your baby, you should consider the following:

• Maintain a well balanced diet
• Stop smoking
• AVOID alcohol consumption

Who should I contact if have more questions?

For further information, or advice on using the FIRST RESPONSE® Easy Read Ovulation Test, contact the FIRST RESPONSE Advice Line at Church & Dwight UK Ltd between 9.00am and 4.00pm Monday - Friday.